“There is no school for learning contentment that can be compared with the foot of the cross” by J.C. Ryle

“Would I learn how to be contented and cheerful under all the cares and anxieties of life?

What school shall I go to?

How shall I attain this state of mind most easily?

Shall I look at the sovereignty of God, the wisdom of God, the providence of God, the love of God?

It is well to do so.

But I have a better argument still.

I will look at the cross of Christ.

I feel that “He who spared not His only-begotten Son, but delivered Him up to die for me, will surely with Him give me all things” that I really need. (Rom. 8:32)

He that endured such agony, sufferings, and pain for my soul, will surely not withhold from me anything that is really good.

He that has done the greater things for me, will doubtless do the lesser things also.

He that gave His own blood to procure me a home in heaven, will unquestionably supply me with all that is really profitable for me by the way.

There is no school for learning contentment that can be compared with the foot of the cross!”

–J.C. Ryle, Old Paths: Being Plain Statements of Some of the Weightier Matters of Christianity (Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1898/1999), 237-240.